Big Bear, Little Bear

In this expertly crafted board book by Schneider, readers can compare the personal effects of a brown, anthropomorphic Big Bear and child Little Bear. Set against swaths of paint, each spread features one of Big Bear's belongings on the left, and Little Bear's corresponding item on the right; corresponding labels run along the bottom of each page. A gentle humor pervades the text: one red left-hand page reads "Big Bear's car," showing a reverse silhouette in white of the figure in an automobile; the facing page, washed in muted storm blue, reads "Little Bear's car," showing Big Bear hauling Little Bear in a red-and-white-checked baby sling. The simple pages cycle through several everyday objects in this affirming, loosely chronological account, with progressive spreads taking the bears from coffee to dinner to bed, providing a smooth, soothing opportunity for human guardians to do the same. Ages up to 3. (Sept.)

Big Bear and Little Bear have many things in common--some with slight, unexpected twists. Big Bear wears a yellow top and white pants, and Little Bear wears a white top with yellow pants. They both have boots, a coffee cup, a plate, a toothbrush, and slippers. All things are distinguished mainly by their size: Big Bear's things are big, and Little Bear's things are little. In some instances, a strain of tenderness infuses the story. For instance, Big Bear's car is exactly that, but Little Bear's car is a cloth sling across Big Bear's back. Big Bear's house and Little Bear's house are precisely the same one. Big Bear's chair is a brown wooden one, reminiscent of the classic story "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," but Little Bear's chair is Big Bear's welcoming lap. Big Bear's lovey is Little Bear, and Little Bear's lovey is a plush white rabbit. The final spread will resonate with many adults and children: The illustration on the verso depicts a cozy bed with Big Bear in it ("Big Bear's bed"), and the illustration on the recto shows both bears in the same snug bed ("Little Bear's bed"). Originally published in French, Schneider's childlike illustrations are colorful and attractive, set against plain, monochromatic backgrounds. A sweet story that pulls on the heartstrings. (Board book. 1-3) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.